So a minor trip from Lanseria to De Wildt where the on road manners are above reproach. I was in the backbseat to get a better idea of the space and it is ample, even for a dikgat. I reckon even Tinus will be comfy...

Finishes is as expected from a vehicle in this class, top notch and well executed.

The De Wildt driving experience is a 1 on 1 with a Nissan team member and consisted of the dongas close to the entrance, Gert se Klim and a few bits inbetween: cross axles with difflock off needs a steady foot and is accomplished with zero hassles. Really no effort, same reliability and capability. The running boards didn’t touch at all throughout and the left rear mudflap scraped going up Gert se Klim.

That’s it. No drama, no stress, just the same incredible capability with a lot more comfort and convenience.

The new Nissan Patrol: The perfect combination of style, luxury, technology and performance
The Nissan Intelligent Mobility premium flagship arrives in SA

ROSSLYN, South Africa (December 6, 2017) The new Nissan Patrol is that rare vehicle that’s impressive on paper and on any road. It’s the epitome of progressive Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology, supreme performance and unrivalled luxury.

The Patrol is Nissan’s premium flagship model aimed at people with a distinctly affluent taste. It’s for the sophisticated buyer who requires an SUV that’s big on features, big on opulence, big on style and big on exclusivity.

Since 1951, the Nissan Patrol has created a niche in the market for absolute reliability and superlative off-road performance. Its legacy is well-known across Africa and the Patrol is quite rightly considered to be peerless.

Following its international success, Nissan is confident the new Patrol will find a place in South Africans’ hearts as the new model embraces comfort, extravagance and smart technology without losing its off-road proficiency.

“We are extremely proud of the new Nissan Patrol because it shows off just how advanced Nissan is when it comes to Intelligent Mobility. This executive SUV has an amazing array of technology that keeps you safe and in premium comfort while re-energising your passion for driving,” said Xavier Gobille, Nissan Group of Africa Managing Director of Marketing and Sales.

Nissan Intelligent Mobility

The Patrol is like a superhero with keen powers of perception, thanks to a range of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features that take the guesswork out of driving. This SUV is the epitome of Nissan’s most advanced technology and leads the pack with smart features that include:

Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention: Alerts the driver of a vehicle in the adjacent lane during lane changes.
Intelligent Cruise Control: Works like standard cruise control with the added feature of maintaining a selected distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Intelligent Distance Control: Helps you stay in perfect position, using radar sensors to adjust the vehicle’s speed in relation to the vehicle ahead.
Intelligent Driver Awareness: Analyses the driver steering behaviour to provide an alert if signs of drowsiness, or inattention are detected.
Intelligent Emergency Braking: Helps avoid collisions by detecting the distance of the preceding vehicle and activating the brakes, if necessary.
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning: Sensors analyse the relative velocity of the preceding vehicle as well as the vehicle in front of the preceding one. If the system detects potential risks, it alerts the driver to slow down with visual and audible alerts, and will also tighten the seat belt.
Intelligent Lane Intervention: Using a camera installed in the windshield, this system detects lane markers to calculate its position and if you drift out of your lane, it will alert the driver and can apply brakeforce to the appropriate wheels to help guide you back into your lane.
Intelligent Ride Control: Controls the engine and brakes to deliver a smoother driving experience over small and large bumps in the road.
Intelligent Trace Control: When negotiating a corner, this system applies braking automatically to each wheel to help keep the vehicle on the cornering line.
Intelligent Lane Departure Warning: This system ensures a safer drive by alerting drivers when it detects that the vehicle is straying from its intended lane.
Intelligent Smart Rear-View Mirror: This system uses a built-in LCD monitor to display images from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle to negate the inherent limitations of a standard rear-view mirror.
Around View Monitor: Using five cameras positioned around the vehicle, this technology provides a 360-degree view of your surroundings.
Stylish from every angle

Designed for full-sized family adventures, the Nissan Patrol maintains its 7-passenger utility and has an impressive array of high-tech standard features. As a flagship model, the Patrol’s power, premium comfort specification and sophisticated Nissan Intelligent Mobility features are far superior than its direct competitors.

The exterior appearance is both powerful and refined, and the redesigned body features an aggressive stance with a bold V-motion front grille and Xenon headlights. The previous generation's rugged, athletic image is maintained, but with added contemporary style. The front includes functional air intake vents and the electronic tailgate includes an auto-close feature.

Inside, the new Patrol combines spaciousness and premium comfort with a special emphasis on silence. The plush interior offers limousine-like space in the 2nd and 3rd row of seats with class-leading knee-room.

Among the long list of standard features are climate-controlled front seats, heated steering wheel, premium leather seating and a Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system (with microfilter), including 2nd row “curtain” vents to effectively distribute cool air to every seat.

The exclusive Bose® audio system features AM/FM/MP3/CD with 13 speakers, a subwoofer and digital amplifier to provide rich acoustics. The Patrol comes standard with the 3D Nissan Navigation System and a multi-screen DVD entertainment system with screens fitted into the headrests of both front seats.

The centre console has a 12-volt power outlet and the Patrol has nine cupholders, four bottle holders, a sunroof, power door locks with illuminated switches and an anti-lockout system with auto door lock speed-sensing function, Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Start and Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System.

Technical prowess

The Patrol is powered by a robust, high-tech 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine that develops 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque.

This energetic powerhouse is mated to a silky smooth 7-speed automatic gearbox that uses variable valve technology to deliver seamless performance whenever it’s needed. It can trundle along quite happily in gridlocked traffic and when the opportunity presents itself, the Patrol will produce a prodigious amount of energy to power its 3.5 tons in a short amount of time.

The Patrol has what it takes to support your larger-than-life adventures with an impressive towing capacity of 3.5 tons and a 140-litre fuel tank.

Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve (rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with a throttle valve), and valve timing and opening with non-variable camshafts.

The 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching features a new design that helps enhance fuel efficiency through use of its wider gear ratios and Automatic Transmission Fluid warmer.

The All-Mode 4-wheel drive system features Auto/4H/4LO modes and an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. Under normal driving conditions, the system operates in two-wheel drive mode, but it can distribute torque to all four wheels when road conditions warrant it (up to 50 percent of torque can go to the front wheels on demand).

Responsive braking is provided by a 4-wheel disc brake system with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Also standard is ABLS (Active Brake Limited Slip) and a Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system. Steering is provided by an engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.

In addition to cutting-edge Nissan Intelligent Mobility features, the Patrol’s safety features include Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and front occupant classification sensor; roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for side-impact and rollover head protection in all three rows; front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags; and front seat Active Head Restraints.

A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also included with a warning lamp in the gauge cluster or a warning display in the navigation system.

Pricing

The new Nissan Patrol is the perfectly exquisite partner for every adventure – from the hair-raising ones that take you off the beaten track and affirm your individuality to the posh ones where you need to show up in style, and leave in the knowledge that you made a great impression.

Put simply, the Patrol is a sublime SUV made for the distinguished, the non-conformist and the adventurous. It will transport you in supreme comfort and on the rare occasion that you’d like to get a few splashes of mud on its beautiful body, the Patrol will happily oblige.

There is one model on offer – the Patrol Premium – which comes jam-packed with a host of creature comforts in either a tan, or black interior and seven exterior colours. Optional extras such as a tow bar are available.

The new Nissan Patrol Premium costs R1,299,000. The Patrol is backed up by Nissan Assured and has a class-leading 6-year/150,000km warranty, and a comprehensive 3-year/90,000km service plan.

So, I can't say too much because I still have an article to write, but I have to say Nissan did good.

The new Patrol is, in my opinion, still a Patrol in every sense of the word, but able now to do so much more. Driving a 4.8, even a 4.5, in town is interesting. Driving the new one in town easy. On the open road it moves deceptively fast and easy, stable in long corners with an 8 in one of the three speed digits and enough space for 3 adults in the rear, and even for 2 in the third row; adults that is, not kids only. At De Wildt it did what was asked of it with zero hassle. If you want to take it to the bundus, you can kit it and do exactly what a 4.8 will do now, but with more comfort, safety and space.

It was designed with many clever additions and plenty tech to make life easier for city slickers, but it will get up and go with haste if asked.

It really is a spectacular car and represents the same technological and advancement jump forward as the D3 did for the Disco model range.

I did ask for a Patrol/Forum day at De Wildt: I received confirmation that they are keen to do this, so I will be putting this together with them and let the JHB guys know once I have firm dates.